Canadian scientists say that very heavy smokers who quit smoking can experience a spike in an enzyme called MAO-A. MAO-A metabolizes serotonin and so too much MAO-A can result in too little serotonin and feelings of sadness and depression.

Although we all know that smoking while pregnant isn’t healthy for mom or unborn child, a surprising number of pregnant women still choose to light up. New research out of University College in London shows that these moms are putting their children at greatly increased risk for birth defects ranging from clubfoot to missing limbs to gastrointestinal problems.

Children and tweens exposed to secondhand smoke absorb more nicotine out of that smoke than adults do – so much, in fact, that researchers out of Montreal Canada say that some children living with smokers, who had never before smoked cigarettes, were showing signs of nicotine addiction.

Cigarettes that were once marketed as ‘light’ are in fact no safer than any other – which is why most Western nations now outlaw the use of the terms light or mild on packaging. Nevertheless, about 1 in 5 smokers still believe that cigarettes sold in light colored packages are less harmful.

About a third of us have a genetic malfunction which disables our ability to regulate nicotine consumption. Those of us with this particular genetic abnormality are at a greatly increased risk of nicotine addiction.

Although we all know that smoking while pregnant isn’t healthy for mom or unborn child, a surprising number of pregnant women still choose to light up. New research out of University College in London shows that these moms are putting their children at greatly increased risk for birth defects ranging from clubfoot to missing limbs to gastrointestinal problems.Read Article

About a third of us have a genetic malfunction which disables our ability to regulate nicotine consumption. Those of us with this particular genetic abnormality are at a greatly increased risk of nicotine addiction.Read Article